Survivors of a major fire at the Afriland Tower on Lagos Island have described scenes of chaos and desperation as thick, toxic smoke filled the building. The blaze, which broke out on Tuesday, is confirmed to have killed at least ten people and injured many others.
The fire is believed to have started in the basement inverter room of the seven-storey building. Occupants reported that safety systems failed, with no functional fire alarms or smoke extraction systems to alert them or clear the air. Many were forced to break windows to escape the suffocating smoke or were rescued by passersby before emergency services arrived.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an overheated inverter battery bank. Critics have pointed to poor maintenance and a lack of adequate ventilation as contributing factors. The tragedy has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of building safety codes across Nigeria’s commercial hubs.
The Lagos State Government and emergency response agencies have launched a full investigation into the incident. The Nigeria Labour Congress has condemned what it calls systemic negligence and is demanding accountability for the lives lost.
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